Manchester United legend Bryan Robson arrived at Middlesbrough as player-manager in 1994 and has exactly 800 appearances under his belt for club and country.
In three seasons, Robson made just 27 appearances for Boro – 22 of which came in his first spell at the club. Although he did not play a minute in the 1996/97 season, Robson decided to start himself at centre-back against Highbury. Arsenal in Premier League On New Year’s Day in 1997.
Ultimately, it proved the end of his playing career, just 10 days before he turned 40. While a 2-0 defeat against one of the Premier League’s best teams is hardly embarrassing, that’s how Robson felt after the game. His mind to retire.
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson forced to retire by Arsenal
“I played right up until the short of my 40th birthday,” says Robson Four four two. “I played a game for Middlesbrough at Arsenal and put myself at centre-half, where I had to mark Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright.
“They finished me off. I couldn’t walk after three days – couldn’t walk at all. I realized then that there was no way I was going to be playing in the Premier League at 40.
“I didn’t feel sad, another blessing that I didn’t have to put my body through that anymore. You have to accept that there will come a point where you can’t do what you can.”
Prior to that, Robson was one of the world’s greatest midfielders, captaining his country 65 times – and a further 25 as a regular player – as well Manchester United And West Brom.
“I was a Chester-le-Street boy who was obsessed with football,” he reflects. “Newcastle United Fans went there to play games by bus. I had a cousin from Birmingham Who would visit and we would play football together.
“He always said I had good technique, even when I was two or three!”
